Saúl’s agent: “He’s already at a big club”

No stranger to transfer rumors over his career, Saúl Ñíguez (unintentionally or otherwise) stoked the fire earlier this week by teasing a “new club” announcement on social media. Twitter went wild, and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand implied he knew something that he really didn’t know. The marketing campaign concluded with Wednesday’s reveal of the 25-year-old’s sweeping new initiative — Club Costa City, based in his hometown Elche.

Stellar Group’s Jonathan Barnett gave a wide-ranging interview to SportWitness, published Saturday. In it, Saúl’s agent seems to dismiss any transfer for the star midfielder — well, an imminent transfer, at least.

“Somebody like Saúl doesn’t need anybody to push him. He’s so good and everybody knows that and they know a lot of clubs want him. But he’s already at a very big club. He has a very good relationship with Atlético Madrid and Atlético fans,” said Barnett.

Barnett proceeded to slam other agents peddling falsehoods for the media’s sake, claiming his agency does not involve itself in such pettiness. Alright.

Anyway, despite the marketing furor, his agent doesn’t believe (at least publicly) that Saúl will leave Atlético any time soon. As always, it’s worth mentioning that the academy graduate has a contract to 2026 with his present side. It probably won’t, but hopefully this puts the kibosh on any pieces linking Saúl to United and a host of other sides.

Saúl is expected to start Atlético’s first game back — at Athletic Club de Bilbao — following the coronavirus stoppage.